Cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood T-lymphocyte clones activated by hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

The present studies examined the cytotoxic activities of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from volunteers with (sero-positive) and without (sero-negative) circulating antibodies to hepatitis B virus surface antigen before and 30 days after vaccination with hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). Long-term culture of monospecific hepatitis B surface (HBsAg)-responsive T-lymphocytes were isolated and grown in large numbers. The mechanism of T-cell mediated cytolysis, and the identification of the carbohydrate determinants on the surface of these effector cells responsible for the killing effect, are being examined.